Fall in Derbyshire’s JSA claimants

The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Derbyshire continues to fall, new figures show.

Statistics for July show a drop in claimants of 220 compared to the previous month, to 8,652.

George Cowcher, chief executive of Derbyshire’s chamber of commerce, said: “Headline rates of unemployment and claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance are closing in on pre-recession levels, which highlights just how strong and flexible the local labour market is at present.

“Anecdotal evidence from businesses across a range of sectors shows confidence is rising, which is being reflected by increases in staffing levels at many local companies.”

Across the East Midlands as a whole, the number of people out of work has dropped from 155,354 during the period January to March, to 126,222 in the three months to June.